BCG Daily Friday 11th July 2014

Why vote's no laughing matter for Scottish stand-ups

If you're visiting the Edinburgh Fringe next month, you might expect comics to be cracking jokes about the referendum for Scottish independence, which takes place just weeks after the festival ends. But for many stand-ups it will be a case of, as the Scots say, haud yer wheesht on the subject. One funnyman from north of the border told me it has become "toxic" and there are even some No supporters among stand-ups who genuinely fear violence if they go public on how they will vote.

Interview: Silky

Silky is a stand-up comedian from Liverpool who this year celebrates 20 years in comedy. He talks to Giggle Beats about two decades as a stand-up - from his first ever gig alongside Bill Bailey at the age of 18 to this year's solo show, Tribute Act - as we look at the ethos behind his work, music in comedy, the Edinburgh Fringe and more.

Three years of funny business at Plymouth Comedy Club

Comedy clubs, eh? They grow up so fast. It seems like only three years since Plymouth CC was born at the Citybus social club. Because it is, and was.

Radio Times review

They're the words no grown-up child likes to hear: "Ah, your mother and I were just making love..." As delivered by Martin with a giggling Jackie in the background, they're enough to send Adam and Jonny back out to sit in their car for 20 minutes until the coast is clear.

So, a flying start to the anniversary celebration night, which only gets better when Martin presents a picture he has painted of Jackie, and Jonny reluctantly unveils his new tattoo. For a moment, it looks as if the Goodmans won't need outside help to ruin their evening. Then neighbour Jim rings the doorbell and we're cantering into the realms of surreal farce where FND is at its best.

Pictures: Sacha Baron Cohen sports retro England shirt

Sacha Baron Cohen was seen munching through a cone of chips as he filmed the movie and he was also pictured on set with his co-star Mark Strong.

Sanjeev Bhaskar to join cast of Doctor Who

Popular comedian, actor and broadcaster Sanjeev Bhaskar is to join the cast of Doctor Who when the series returns to BBC One.

Bob Mills interview

The stand-up legend has been in the game for 30 years. 'It's been a long time, hasn't it?' he recalls. 'Many people say too long.'

Rhys Darby interview

From the misty mountains of Rwanda to the eerie shores of Loch Ness, Rhys has devoted the last couple of years to some extensive globe-trotting. Now he's back, with a packed chest of stories.

Southport comedy festival returns

Some of the UK's top comedy talent will take to the stage in Southport and you can get your tickets now.

Lindsay Sharman is a greater writer than Shakespeare

Comedy stage performer Lindsay Sharman is a greater writer than William Shakespeare. I do not actually think that.

Archive, 11 July 1963: Cambridge Circus review

The latest revue from Cambridge University Footlights launches Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor and John Cleese onto the comedy circuit.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Ed Gamble, Brendon Burns and the Balham Comedy Festival.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: Bridget Christie

As Edinburgh previews go, this one is pretty unmissable.

What Fringe comedy show should I see this year?

Heading up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August but daunted by the hundreds upon hundreds of great and not so great comedy shows? Don't worry, Laugh Out London comedy club is here to help with our quiz developed with Oxbridge scientists experienced in genius algorithms to find out what comedy show suits your deepest desires.

Feature: Guilt and Shame - Going Straight

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, serving up a plethora of entertainment in the form of theatre, comedy, dance and everything in between. One of the most prominent forms at the Fringe, steeped in comedy tradition yet constantly growing and expanding, is sketch comedy. With new acts coming up all the time there is one duo truly holding its own - or possibly each other's - and growing a dedicated following. With its new show, Going Straight, heading to Edinburgh at the end of July, Guilt and Shame is hitting the Fringe. And it's going to be big.

Armando Iannucci: UK politics doesn't make me laugh

The Veep and Thick of It showrunner suggests he won't be doing a British-based political comedy for a while because he's lost his sense of humour about Westminster.

Audio: John Finnemore's guide to sketch writing

John Finnemore, creator and writer for Cabin Pressure and John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, describes his career as a comedy sketch writer to BBC Radio Comedy producer Colin Anderson, and gives tips for aspiring radio comedy writers.

I will say this only once...

Sammy J on his one-night Fringe run.

QI: why you should never look a dragon in the eye

As How to Train Your Dragon 2 is released, the QI boffins explain everything you need to know about the flying fire-breathers.

The Liam Hourican three minute interview

Liam Hourican is a TV personality, impressionist and semi-funny man. He was last seen in a starring role in Channel 4's Very Important People, playing Gordon Ramsay, Simon Cowell, Simon Bird and many others. Now he's appearing in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with A Kitchen Nightmare.

The Alexis Wieroniey three minute interview

Thirty-one years ago, a girl, Alexis Wieroniey, was born somewhere in suburban America. She got out, and moved to England, forever. Find out why in her stand-up comedy debut at the Edinburgh Festival, straight from sell-out performances at the Adelaide Fringe.

The Red Bastard three minute interview

This Edinburgh Festival Fringe you can once again experience the exquisite monstrosity of Eric Davis' brilliant creation, Red Bastard. Lines will be crossed and laughs will be had in this interactive feast of biting wit, mischievous improvisation, and physical prowess.

The Gillian Hardie three minute interview

Writer/performers Gillian Hardie and Keddy Sutton's arrival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe follows sell-out performances and five-star reviews for their latest collaboration, Scottie Road the Musical. Having spoken to Keddy, Martin Walker asks Gillian about the show.

The Laurence Clark three minute interview

Internationally acclaimed comedian, presenter, actor and writer, Laurence Clark is back at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his new stand up show, Moments Of Instant Regret, directed by the brilliant Matt Holt. Martin Walker finds out more.

The Mathilda Gregory three minute interview

When a prisoner requested Mathilda Gregory's werewolf erotica novel, a court had to decide whether her work had enough literary merit to be allowed behind bars. Martin Walker caught up with Mathilda by email as she prepares for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Glenn Cosby three minute interview

Glenn Cosby loved to cook and bake throughout his childhood and teens, but got distracted when he went to university. He became a teacher and started to bake again, but didn't really get back into it seriously until the first series of the BBC's Great British Bake Off.

The Chelsea Manders three minute interview

Chelsea Manders is a mischievous and bold comedic folk singer. This August she will make her Edinburgh Fringe Festival debut with her show Don't Tell My Dad. Martin Walker finds out more from the soon to be famous Canadian award winner.

The Dane Baptiste three minute interview

Dane Baptiste is known for his distinctive stage persona, his brilliant take on all of life's irritations and his phenomenal gift to tame some of the most difficult of crowds. This year he makes his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with Citizen Dane.

The Juliette Burton three minute interview

In what promises to be a highly original Edinburgh Festival fringe show, Juliette Burton uses comedy, a power-point presentation, original music and interviews with a wide range of people, to celebrate the diversity of beauty. Martin Walker finds out more.

The Carl Donnelly three minute interview

Carl Donnelly has spent part of the last year travelling around India, and the rest of it going through a divorce, so has plenty to talk about. As Martin Walker finds out, some of what Carl is set to reveal about himself in his latest Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Now That's What I Carl Donnelly Vol. 6, may surprise his fans.

The Sammy J three minute interview

Sammy J thought it would be humorous to fly from Melbourne to Edinburgh, perform one show, then fly home. This is that show, Sammy J: Songbook. Known and loved for his catchy, filthy, nerdy musical comedy stylings, Sammy J has stuffed his hand luggage full of his favourite songs, and plans to rock out for precisely fifty-eight minutes before returning to the airport.

The Oscar Jenkyn-Jones three minute interview

Thomas Pocket presents: Me (Oscar Jenkyn-Jones) is the debut solo show from exciting young absurdist Oscar Jenkyn-Jones. An hour-long sashay through moments of unlikely surrealism, impressions of inanimate objects, and silent thinking. This is a whirlwind of acute non-sequiturs; a show-within-a-show.

The Damian Clark three minute interview

Aussie boy Damian Clark burst onto the UK comedy circuit in 2012 where his high-octane observational stand up has certainly caused some waves. Before touching down in the UK, Damian made Ireland his home and became a regular feature on Irish TV. You can catch him live at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With his new show, Go Ahead, Make My Damo.

The Celia Pacquola three minute interview

Celia Pacquola has always been obsessed with the future, but planned for none of it. She has, however, planned to return to this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe with her most revealing stand-up show to date. Martin Walker emails Celia some questions.

The Stephen Frizzle three minute interview

Newcastle's own Stephen 'Friz' Frizzle is a comedy musician who perfroms puns in song form at the piano. Why yes, exactly like Tom Lehrer, Richard Stilgoe, Victoria Wood and Amateur Transplants. But Friz is the youngest, so he has the advantage. His Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, for one perfromance only, is Harry My Cat Died.

The Dave Chawner three minute interview

A full time comic of six years, Dave Chawner is regular MC, opener and warm up act. Now he is preparing a set with Robyn Perkins for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Martin Walker finds out more about what promises to be a deeply personal show.

The Malcolm Julian Swan three minute interview

The future. The mechanised labour force is disenfranchised. Enter A Robot, determined to teach the grimacing machines how to laugh. This stand-up showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe features the best in alternative up-and-coming talent, including the incomparable Malcolm Julian Swan.

The Stuart Laws three minute interview

Stuart Laws is English. He's also writes and performs sketch and stand-up comedy. According to his website his stand-up involves boundless energy and telling stories that weave material in with improvised audience interaction. Observational and surreal, Stuart is James Acaster's regular tour support. Martin Walker asks about his Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.

The Zoe McDonald three minute interview

Live from the studios of Forth One this Edinburgh Festival Fringe comes Zoe McDonald, who is suffering from FOMO - The Fear of Missing Out. A Fringe theatre show inside a radio studio, audience members pop on a set of headphones and get exposed to Zoe's world: the host and guests of an absurd talkback radio programme dissecting her personal life.

Feedback: Bad Salsa

Are there some things one should not make jokes about? Cancer for example? Radio 4 does not seem to think so.

Tim Minchin live Q&A - post your questions now

Comedian, songwriter, the man behind Matilda the Musical and soon-to-be-published poet - Tim Minchin can turn his hand to most things, including your questions, so get posting now, ahead of his live webchat on Wednesday 16 July at 1.30pm BST.

Tim Minchin, Hyde Park, review: 'a pleasing affair'

A familiar but blazing set from Tim Minchin helped to distract from the inherent difficulty of open-air comedy, says Dominic Cavendish.

5 things you might not know about comedian Bruce Morton

The award-winning stand-up has worked on Channel 4, BBC Radio 4 and the Greater Shawlands Republic.

A beginner's guide to puns

In my capacity as a stand-up, I don't do puns, but I imagine if I did, people would regularly be asking me how I come up with so many great ones. The truth is, punning is simple as long as you remember a few key steps. Here is my easy-to-follow guide.

The best British comedy in years is on iPlayer

If you've already watched People Just Do Nothing, you'll already know what the fuss is about. It's bloody brilliant, isn't it?

Tim Minchin live in Hyde Park review

In a slightly incongruous fit, the evening proceedings were overseen by veteran funnyman Jasper Carrott.

Tim Minchin review

This was really Tim Minchin's night and from the opening chords of Rock And Roll Nerd he was on sparkling form.

Review: The Comedy of Errors

There's clever, inventive staging and audience participation, too. Best thing from Groundlings in a long time.

I love this idea - but that's not how it sounds

Because of the rigid TV calendar in America, there's a deadline. A line by which a script must be submitted or it is dead. There is no such thing in the UK.

Edinburgh Fringe preview: NewsRevue

Nobody is safe: from Putin to Pistorius, politicians and celebrities alike come under fire in NewsRevue. The Public Reviews caught up with Matt Lee-Steer from the Guinness World Record-breaking show, now in its 35th year.